ECNL RL Selection Game – VA Participants

We’ll start with McKenzie Shea, the left footed winger from the U19 Kickers Elite Red team and Cosby High School. Shea was an impactful player the entire time she was on the field. McKenzie showed a lot of comfort and poise in her decision-making. She was able to get into dangerous areas by using one-two passes or crafty stepovers to beat defenders 1v1. Shea delivered multiple dangerous crosses into the box and it paid off for her as she recorded the assist for the first goal of the match, putting the East up 1-0. A top performer from the game, Shea fit in perfectly with the speed of play and was very accurate with her passing.

Rylee Wampler, a Lynchburg commit, was a strong force in the back line for the West team at the Selection game. It seemed like every time I looked up from my notes in the first half, she was cutting out another attack by making a good tackle or intercepting a pass. She made a crucial last second tackle inside the area that saved an almost certain goal. Her distribution was also quick and accurate. Wampler plays well with both feet and is patient on the ball when she has time, making sure to choose the right option.

Charlotte Burge Charlotte Burge GK First Colonial (VA) | 2024 State VA was selected as the Player of the Match for the game. She was very good during normal time, fearlessly coming out to cut off angles and distributing the ball wonderfully with her feet. Burge has her performance in the PK shootout to thank for the POTM nod, as she made two big saves that helped give her side the win, including the first one against her club teammate Dylan McEntarfer Dylan McEntarfer D Kellam | 2025 State VA .

Ellie Diehl played a great center mid role in front of her club teammate, Rylee Wampler. Diehl showed very good defensive positioning, strong tackles, and was very tidy with her passes. What she did will not show up in the score sheet, but it was very important in a game where the midfield was a tough battle for possession. Ellie is committed to play at Christopher Newport next Fall.

Isabella Petersen was the other keeper for the West team. Petersen made a magnificent double save in the second half to keep her team in the game, probably the best defensive play of the game (before the penalty shootout). She rose to the occasion again later on, making a 1v1 save. This East team attack was called for offside, but you could tell the save added to Petersen’s confidence as the game got to the final minutes.

Center back for the East squad, Dylan McEntarfer Dylan McEntarfer D Kellam | 2025 State VA made sure to showcase all of her skill throughout this game. For me, the best player on the field during this game. McEntarfer is a very intelligent defender. She wastes very little energy by reading the field to make sure she positions herself well. She communicates with her team constantly, making defending easier for those around her as well. She very rarely gets beat to the ball or to a spot for a challenge. When on the ball, Dylan makes great decisions. She gets rid of it quickly when pressured, can dribble through lines to start the attack for her team, or play long balls to attackers making runs up the field. Dylan played a 35 yard dime over the top to McKenzie Shea that led the first goal of the game. She also played some dangerous balls from free kicks in the opposing half.